The Dying of the Light (Book 1): End Read Online Free PDF Page A

recovered and started to swing again, only to pause for a moment as he recognized me, and I took advantage of that interruption to stand with my hands to one side in a peaceful gesture, the .40 caliber pistol in my hand notwithstanding.
     
    “Son, you’re liable to get blown away or killed doing some damn fool thing like that,” he huffed. He looked both ways down the alley, and then pulled me inside with no more effort than shifting a heavy shopping bag between hands. He shut and locked the door behind us, then turned to give me a once-over under the bright light of one of his camping lanterns. “Those things can hear like nothing I’ve ever seen. I was bringing in the last of the supplies I had stored out back when I heard you coming. I only realized I forgot to lock the door when you tried to open it.”
     
    I grinned at the big man and was relieved to see an answering grin in return, albeit a pained one. “You okay, Monty? It’s a mess out there.”
     
    “I’m okay, David. More or less.” He gestured to a bandage on his arm near the wrist and shook his head. “Some wackjob tried to bite me, of all things. I only told him I didn’t have any more ammo, and he just flew off the handle. I had to shove him out of the store. That’s when I locked up.” He jerked his head in the direction of the front of the store, and through the stockroom entrance I could see the rolling metal grate that he had locked in place.
     
    Guess it’s a good thing I didn’t try the front door. “What about you?” he asked.
     
    “I’m fine, but I’m getting outta this place, Monty. There’s nothing left for me here now. I was hoping to find some supplies here. You said you’re out of ammo?”
     
    “No, not really. Just didn’t like the look of the guy, ya know? Told him all I had was already sold, but you’re welcome to whatever you need. I know you’re good for it once this crap is all over with. What about the missus and your boy?” He began rummaging around in a stack of boxes, finally pulling out a large black duffel bag and tossing it to me. When I just let it hit the floor, he glanced over. “What’s wrong?”
     
    “She… I…” I couldn’t seem to speak; my tongue wouldn’t form the words, and he caught me looking toward the street. The pain I felt must’ve been evident, and Monty had always been an observant guy.
     
    “Shit. That’s fucked up.”
     
    I’d lived in Fall Creek nearly all my life and I’d never heard this affable man utter a single word even close to profanity. Everything really is going to hell, then . I simply nodded, and Monty growled deep in his throat. “Well, if you’re getting out, then I’ll see to it you have what you need. Follow me.”
     
    I followed him to his office, where he opened the huge safe that dominated one wall and took a small box from a stack inside. He motioned for me to hand him the pistol and I did so. The gun was dwarfed in his huge hands, but he fitted the suppressor from the box onto the end of the gun and handed it back.
     
    “That’s a little something from me to you that don’t nobody need to know about, kid.” He looked me dead in the eye with a grim expression.
     
    “Got it. Thanks, Monty. Listen, you want to come with me? I could use you in a fight.”
     
    He chuckled and shook his head, the motion shaking his whole body. “Nah, I’m no good at that sort of thing, David. Besides, I’m kinda tired. Think I might lie down here when you’re done and get some rest. I figure I’m safe enough inside here for a couple more days, anyway.”
     
    With all the camping supplies, ammo and MREs you could ever need, I thought. He’ll be fine . “I’ll just grab a few things and be on my way. And I’ll be back before you know it when I find help.”
     
    He smiled and eased back into the enormous office chair that somehow managed to cradle his bulk, scratching absently at the bandaged wound on his arm. “Sure thing, David. Sure thing. Just